Results 5,981-6,000 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry Development (31 May 2018)

Michael Creed: In line with the strategic recommendation in Food Wise 2025, a National Food Innovation Hub is being constructed at the Teagasc Food Research Centre in Moorepark, Co. Cork. Teagasc is overseeing the project, which will comprise up to 12 custom designed Research & Development units to be rented out to food companies at commercial rates. My Department is providing €8.8m in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Data (31 May 2018)

Michael Creed: Knowledge Transfer is one of a suite of measures included under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and involves the formation of knowledge transfer groups across the beef, dairy, equine, sheep, tillage and poultry sectors.  Department approved agricultural consultants acting as Knowledge Transfer Facilitators administer groups operating over a three year period. Farmers may...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Agreements (31 May 2018)

Michael Creed: The development of Free Trade Agreements between the EU and Australia / New Zealand is at an early stage.  Last week the European Council authorised the Commission to open trade negotiations with Australia and New Zealand, and adopted negotiating directives for each of the negotiations. My colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation takes the lead in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Data (31 May 2018)

Michael Creed: Balancing Payments for the GLAS scheme can commence when the Member State has verified that all eligibility conditions have been met. This is a requirement in the relevant EU Payment Regulations and is a long-standing EU audit requirement. GLAS 2017 balancing payments commenced payment week ending the 18thMay 2018 as per my Deaprtment's commitment at the beginning of the year. To date, over...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sheep Welfare Scheme Data (31 May 2018)

Michael Creed: The information requested by the Deputy is as follows: Table 1 - farmers by county who have received a balancing payment under the Sheep Welfare Scheme. County Number of applicant's paid balancing as at 30th May 2018 CARLOW 297 CAVAN 290 CLARE 154 CORK 701 DONEGAL 2818 DUBLIN 61 GALWAY 1841 KERRY 1236 KILDARE 244 KILKENNY 211 LAOIS 161 LEITRIM 522 LIMERICK 50 LONGFORD 156...

Other Questions: Live Exports (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: My Department attaches the highest significance to animal welfare in the context of the live export trade. I have met all of the key players in the industry and emphasised to them the fact that its continued existence is contingent on their continued commitment to the highest standards. We are involved in the inspection of cattle as they are loaded for departure on boats and, from time to...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: The subtext behind the idea that we would review our Food Wise targets seems to be that we should dismantle our ambition. I do not share that belief. In fact, I think our ambition is eminently achievable. Never was it more important to have a plan like Food Wise than in the current situation. I chair the implementation committee of Food Wise. We meet with all the relevant stakeholders....

Other Questions: Live Exports (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: Live exports play a vital role in stimulating price competition in the livestock industry and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers. Last year, my Department reduced the veterinary inspection fee payable on live exports of calves under three months of age to €1.20 per animal from €4.80. This gave an important boost to the trade in young calves and brought greater...

Other Questions: Live Exports (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: Obviously, this is an issue we keep under review. There will be continued expansion in the dairy herd. I would like to see more of the expansion in the dairy herd come from improved genetics and yield than from a headlong rush to increased numbers but I do accept that there will be increased numbers. These markets for calf exports are significant. One of the critical issues we will need...

Other Questions: Live Exports (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: It is not so much in the area of calves but there are emerging markets in Libya in the area of live exports for beef cattle. Breeding stock is also being exported, some to Russia and elsewhere. The numbers are not huge but it is an area in which we remain active in terms of seeking out opportunities. There were some tentative inquiries previously about Egypt as a significant market for...

Other Questions: Live Exports (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: I am keenly aware of the vital role that live exports play in stimulating price competition and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers. The ongoing search for new third country markets is a priority for my Department, particularly in the context of Brexit. The outlook for live cattle exports in 2018 is very positive. Already in the three months of this year, a total of...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: The pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agrifood exports are ongoing and central components of the strategic development of the agrifood sector, as evidenced by its placement at the centre of Food Wise 2025, the industry’s strategy for development in the coming decade. This is all the more relevant after the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union,...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: It is important to state geography should always be a determinant of where we trade. It is our hope and ambition that the United Kingdom will always remain an important market for us. In that regard, we are putting much effort into working with our retail partners in the United Kingdom. It is the market we understand most, the one we can access most efficiently financially and the best...

Other Questions: Trade Agreements (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: The development of free trade agreements between the European Union and Australia-New Zealand is at an early stage. Last week, the European Council authorised the Commission to open trade negotiations with Australia and New Zealand and adopted negotiating directives for each of the negotiations. Trade agreements with both countries would aim primarily at further reducing existing...

Other Questions: Trade Agreements (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: The byword here is vigilance in the context of the negotiations. As the Deputy said, we export our products in the agrifood space to more than 180 countries around the world so it is not a sustainable position to take the view that trade is only in one direction. Bearing that in mind, it is not envisaged that there would be full trade liberalisation on products in which we would have a...

Other Questions: Trade Agreements (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: -----that, on balance, works for all sides but we will be particularly vigilant on those issues that will be of concern to agriculture.

Other Questions: Trade Agreements (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: Bord Bia has just concluded a market prioritisation in terms of where we will drive our focus for various product areas, whether it is seafood, the drinks industry, prepared consumer foods, beef, pork meat, sheepmeat, the dairy sector or whatever. That will inform the Department and will primarily inform the industry as to where best it should focus because that is quite a detailed piece of...

Other Questions: Trade Agreements (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: We try to negotiate the best possible deals, bearing in mind that we pool our sovereignty in that area with the European Union. It negotiates the trade access for us. If we were a small player globally outside the European Union we would be-----

Other Questions: Trade Agreements (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: We would not be a party to trade agreements. Our industry would be very much in the dark ages because we would not have access to the markets that we have currently as a member of the European Union.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aquaculture Regulation (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: It is valuable nonetheless. Every job is valuable for the person who holds it. The Deputy appears to be prepared to throw all of that industry under the bus.